A species of bat native to Maine may be going on the Endangered Species list. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department today proposed Endangered Species Act protection for the northern long-eared bat, which has been devastated by the disease known as white-nose syndrome. The decision was in response to pressure from the Center for Biological Diversity in Vermont. Mollie Matheson, a conservation advocate at the center, speaks about the proposal with Maine Things Considered host Tom Porter.

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Feds Propose Listing Bat as Endangered

Duration:3:43

Mollie Matheson, of the Center for Biological Diversity, speaks with Maine Things Considered host Tom Porter. Matheson says the northern long-eared bat (right) is found across all of Canada, and ranges across much of the eastern U.S. and into the midwest. But she says the eastern part of the continent is where the disease has had the worst impact.

Matheson says the little brown bat - up until recently the most common breed found in New England - is also being considered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a candidate for the Endangered Species list.